Clarke went down with 8:13 left in the first half. He stole the ball and was struck from behind by Matt Derenbecker, who was called for an intentional foul.

Dayton fans booed the official's call but gradually grew silent as they saw Clarke was hurt.

Clarke was motionless for several minutes after hitting the hit the bottom part of the padded backboard support but appeared able to move his arms and legs while trainer Ryan Galloy checked him out. He was taken from the floor on a stretcher and transported to the hospital for evaluation. Fans cheered as he was taken from the arena.

Clarke was later released from the hospital and returned to Indianapolis with his teammates, the Bulldogs said in a statement. Galloy said Clarke would have an MRI later Saturday, and after learning the results, the Bulldogs would have a better idea of when Clarke might return to the court.

"I feel blessed to be walking," Clarke said. "When I hit my head, I rolled over and I couldn't feel anything from my neck down. That's what scared me the most. My body was just tingling. By the time Ryan got out there, I started getting some feeling in my hands, and after awhile, I was fine in my legs. I'm still sore in my shoulders, and I've got a bad headache."

It's unclear how long the Bulldogs will miss Clarke, who averages 17 points per game.

The incident occurred during a 9-0 run that turned Butler's two-point deficit into a 23-16 lead.

The Bulldogs followed with another 8-0 run to extend the margin to 31-20.

Marshall scored five points in 13 seconds of clock time. He scored and was fouled, then missed his free throw. Jones rebounded and passed to Marshall, who swept into the lane for another field goal, was fouled, and sank the free throw for a three-point play. Butler led 35-27 at halftime.

The Bulldogs shot 58 percent and made their final 11 points on free throws to hold off the Flyers in the end.

Chase Stigall sank two 3s within a span of three minutes to keep Butler in control, 59-48. He had been shooting only 20 percent - 6-of-30 - from the arc for the season.

Oddly, they were his first points since he made a go-ahead 3-pointer in the final minute of overtime in last month's upset of No. 1 Indiana. Stigall's first 3 was the 100th of his Butler career.

Sanford scored 10 successive points for the Flyers, bringing them within five on three occasions: 61-56, 63-58 and 65-60.

Out of a timeout, Smith sank a 3-pointer to push the Bulldogs' lead to 68-60 with 4:48 left. The margin shrank to four in the final 30 seconds, but Butler preserved its victory.

David Woods writes for the Indianapolis Star; Contributing: The Associated Press